Olympic Weightlifting is its own discipline within CrossFit, built around two lifts: the snatch and the clean & jerk. At CrossFit Gorinchem we give these lifts extra room in a focused Sunday session, alongside the regular CrossFit classes.
Two lifts, one discipline
The snatch takes the barbell from the floor to overhead in one fluid movement. The clean & jerk does this in two parts: first to the shoulders (clean), then overhead (jerk). Both lifts demand strength, but rely just as heavily on timing, mobility and positioning.
That is what sets Olympic Weightlifting apart from regular strength work: it is not only about how much you lift, but how efficiently and technically correct you do it.
Why a dedicated Sunday session
In a regular CrossFit class, the Olympic lifts appear as part of a broader workout. On Sunday at 09:15 the entire session is built around the snatch and clean & jerk themselves: more time for mobility, drills and repetition without the clock running immediately.
That is valuable both for CrossFit members who want to deepen their technique and for beginners learning the lifts from scratch. No experience is required.
Don't just read about it. Come and do it.
During your free trial week you train under guidance and we adapt every workout to your level.
Technique first, load later
We build both lifts using mobility, drills and light-to-moderate loads so technique stays the priority. Only once the base position is reliable does the load increase.
The same principles from regular technique training return here — see our technique blog for the full explanation of the nine foundational movements that Olympic Weightlifting builds on.
Who coaches the Sunday session
The Olympic Weightlifting classes are coached from the Eleiko Weightlifting Course and Burgener Strength background, supplemented with several other courses. That foundation means the coaching matches how the lifts actually work technically, not just how they look.
Not sure if Olympic Weightlifting is for you? Just join a Sunday session — your first one can be part of your free trial week.
Join a Sunday session yourself
The best way to find out if Olympic Weightlifting suits you is to join a session yourself — with coaching matched to your level. Start with a free trial week.
Sources & further reading
This page was independently written and summarized by CrossFit Gorinchem based on our coaching practice and public information from CrossFit.com. Source articles were not copied verbatim.